Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 24, 2026

Larry Plummer

Lawrence H. Plummer was a Democratic politician from Florida who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 112th district from 1978 to 1982 and as a member of the Florida Senate from the 39th district from 1982 to 1992.

Last revised
Jul 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
Length
862 w
Citations
22
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Larry Plummer
Member of the Florida Senate from the 39th district
In office
November 2, 1982 – November 3, 1992
Preceded byDick Renick
Succeeded byDaryl Jones (redistricting)
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 112th district
In office
November 7, 1978 – November 2, 1982
Preceded byBarry Richard
Succeeded byJohn Cosgrove
Personal details
Born(1940-10-27)October 27, 1940
Miami, Florida
DiedSeptember 16, 2004(2004-09-16) (aged 63)
Miami, Florida
PartyDemocratic
RelativesJ. L. Plummer (brother)
EducationUniversity of Miami (B.B.A.)
OccupationFuneral director

Lawrence H. Plummer (born October 27, 1940 – September 16, 2004) was a Democratic politician from Florida who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 112th district from 1978 to 1982 and as a member of the Florida Senate from the 39th district from 1982 to 1992.1

Early life

Plummer was born in Miami in 1940. His father, Joseph L. Plummer, served as a member of the Dade County School Board, and his great-grandfather, J. W. V. R. Plummer, served in the Florida House of Representatives in 1881 and was the mayor of Key West in 1884.1 Plummer graduated from Miami Senior High School and then the University of Miami in 1963, receiving his bachelor's degree in business administration.12 He and his brother, J. L. Plummer, who was later the longest-serving member of the Miami City Commission,3 ran the Ahern-Plummer Funeral Home, which their father had purchased in 1949.2

Florida House of Representatives

In 1978, Plummer ran for the Florida House of Representatives from the 112th district, seeking to succeed Democratic State Representative Barry Richard, who unsuccessfully ran for Attorney General.4 He won the Democratic primary over Marvin Dunn, a psychologist, with 55 percent of the vote.5 In the general election, Plummer defeated former State Representative Nancy Harrington, the Republican nominee, receiving 61 percent of the vote to her 39 percent.67

Plummer ran for re-election in 1980, and was challenged by Ellis Riera-Gomez, a public relations specialist.8 He defeated Riera-Gomez with 58 percent of the vote.9

Florida Senate

In 1982, Plummer ran for the Florida Senate from the 39th district, challenging incumbent Senator Dick Renick in the Democratic primary.10 He narrowly placed second in the primary, winning 34 percent of the vote to Renick's 35 percent, while businessman Ed Felton placed third with 16 percent and attorney Richard Lewis received 15 percent.1112 In the runoff, Plummer defeated Renick, winning 59 percent of the vote to Renick's 41 percent.1314

Plummer was elected to a second term in 1984 unopposed.15 He ran for a third term in 1988, and was challenged by former State Representative Gene Flinn, who had served in the legislature as a Democrat, but switched to the Republican Party afterward.16 Plummer defeated Flinn in a landslide, winning 66 percent of the vote to Flinn's 34 percent.17

In 1992, after Plummer's district was significantly redrawn, he declined to seek re-election,18 and was succeeded by Daryl Jones.

Death

Plummer died on September 16, 2004.2

References

References

  1. Florida Senate Handbook, 1990–1992 (PDF). Secretary of the Florida Senate. 1991. p. 30.
  2. Fordyce, Kathleen (September 19, 2004). "Lawrence Plummer, 63: State senator, funeral director". Miami Herald. p. 4B. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Flechas, Joey (December 19, 2021). "J. L. Plummer, 85: Miami's longest-serving city commissioner". Miami Herald. p. 3C. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "They Both Seek 'Fair Share'". Miami Herald. September 29, 1978. p. 10-C. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "October 5, 1978 Runoff Election Democratic Primary - State Representative District: 112". Florida Department of Elections. 1978. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  6. "November 7, 1978 General Election - State Representative District: 112". Florida Department of Elections. 1978. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  7. Katzenbach, John (November 8, 1978). "Dade follows form, elects 12 of 13 Democrats to House". Miami News. p. 8A. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Silva, Mark (October 30, 1980). "Even cemetary owners involved in Plummer, Riera-Gomez race". Miami Herald: Neighbors. p. 12. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "November 4, 1980 General Election - State Representative District: 112". Florida Department of Elections. 1980. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  10. Riordan, Patrick (May 23, 1982). "Is House leadership behind races against senators?". Miami Herald. p. 6E. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "September 7, 1982 Primary Election Democratic Primary - State Senator District: 39". Florida Department of Elections. 1982. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  12. Brown, Neil (September 9, 1982). "Despite losing, Felton becomes a key figure in District 39 runoff". Miami Herald. p. 1B. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "October 5, 1982 Runoff Election Democratic Primary - State Senator District: 39". Florida Department of Elections. 1982. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  14. Thompson, Roger (October 6, 1982). "Plummer upsets Sen. Renick; Diaz-Silveira wins". Miami Herald. p. 3D. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Tomb, Geoffrey (July 21, 1984). "Two-time Metro contender files for Hialeah House seat". Miami Herald. p. 2B. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Kaczor, Bill (November 3, 1988). "GOP hopes to chip away at Democrats' Senate edge". Tallahassee Democrat. p. 6C. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "November 8, 1988 General Election - State Senator District: 39". Florida Department of Elections. 1988. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  18. Anderson, Curt (August 29, 1992). "Primaries to decide Senate win". The Tampa Tribune. p. Florida/Metro-3. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.